Undercheck device for horses



(No Model.)

T HARRINGTON UNDERGHEGK'. DEVICE FOR HORSES.

No. 586,999. Patented July 27, 18.97.

May.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEToE.

THEODORE HARRINGTON, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

UNDERCHECK DEVICE FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,999, dated July 27, 1897.

- Application filed March 19, 1897. Serial No. 628,237. (No model.)

To all whom it may concerns.

Be it known that I, THEODORE HARRING- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State'of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Undercheck Device for Horses, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact'to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my present invention is to do away with the overdraw-cheek, avoid the friction and pull upon the top ofthe horses head and consequent fret and irritation due to the same, and to provide an undercheck that will permit movements of the head upward or sidewise, or such movements as are required for travel, but which will resist downward movement of the head beyond a given limit.

Another object is to provide a check which will prevent the incurbing of the horses neck and the tendency to choking consequent thereon; also, one which will facilitate free breathing in fast traveling.

These objects I attain by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, wherem- Figure l is a perspective view of the check embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing details of construction. Fig. 3 is a side view of the neck wire or collar, and Fig. 4 shows means for attaching the snap-ring to, an ordinary horse-collar.

My improved check consists of a comparatively stiff bar A, having at one end a snap device 13 and at itsother end a transverse rest O, consisting of a crescent-shaped padded form adaptedto fit under the lower jaw of the horse below the rein-bit D, and provided with side. straps e, that connect withthe wing-straps e on a small face-pad E, from which latter a strap F extends up the forehead and connects with the headstall G of the bridle, thereby supporting the pad E and rest 0 in proper position. The face-pad .E is best provided with a snap-hookfand the strap with a ring that permits ready connection and disconnection of the parts. The rest 0 is connected with the rod by a univer sal or ball joint a.- (See Fig. 2.) Said rest vided with a clamp device adapted for rigidly retaining the two parts at adjustment when in use. Said clamp consists of an internally-tapered screw-nut h, threaded upon the slitted end of the tube a for closing the same upon the rod (1 witha strong grip, as shown.

K indicates a wire collar or neck-bow provided at the breast with a portion or ring I,

adapted for receiving and supporting the snap device B of the bar A, which forms a freely-flexible joint therewith, said ring serving as a pivotal attaching-joint for said checkbar. This collar K is best made of compara tively stiff wire with a connecting-strap L at its upper end, and having a back-strapm and eyepiece '21 for attachment to the water-hook P on the harness-saddle, as illustrated in Fig. 3.- t The lower portion of the collar-wire is curvedoutward or toward the front where it crosses the breast, as at K, so that the ring I or point of support which receives the thrust of the bar A stands away from the breast of the animal and obviates any interference with the free action of the breathing channels or organs. The wire collar being attached to the harness only at the back of the neck, its lower part is free to swing forward should the horse unduly raise his head, while the swiveling action flexibly locked within the loop I gives free scope for the horseto move his-head toward either side; but the action of the bar A and jaw-Supporting rest 0 prevents the head from being dropped below the given limit. This check keeps in position the head of the horse in a manner that is much easier and less annoying to the animal than is the overheaddraw checkrein customarily used.

In some-instances, if desired, the bar A may be made in one piece or without the means for its longitudinal extension, but I prefer the form shown. Where it is desired of the snap to use this undercheck device in connection with the ordinary harness-collar, I provide the ring I with a loop or buckle-strap J (see Fig. at) to be attached to the losver or breast portion of such collar in place of the ring I and in lieu of the Wire collar K, the latter being more especially designed for accompanying a harness having a horizontal breastplate.

The mechanism arranged as shown and described provides an undercheck and avoids the pull and friction upon the head and brain of the animal, While it tends to support the muzzle of the animal in the best form for taking and discharging breath in fast traveling and obviates choking by incurbing of the neck, thereby making speeddriving much easier for both the horse and driver.

I claim as of my'invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an undercheck for horses the combidevice B at its rear end, its fore end fitted with the slitted clamping-surface, the bind ing-nut 7L threaded upon the tapered end of said tube, and the rod (t telescoping within said tube; the transverse chin-rest attached to the fore end of said rod by the ball-joint a, and having the projecting end straps e, the face-pad E provided with the Wing-straps e, and the supporting-strap F, all substantially as shown and for the purposes set forth.

2. An undercheck for horses, comprising the Wire collar having the attaching point or ring at the lower part, the check-bar provided at its rear end with asnap for connection therewith, the curved jaw-rest pad flexibly attached to the fore end of said bar, the nose-straps at the ends of said rest, the facepad connecting with said nose-straps, the snap-hook thereon, and the strap for suspending said face-pad from the headstall, substantially as set forth.

Vitness my hand this 16th day of March, 1897.

THEODORE HARRINGTON. Vitnesses:

CHAS. II. BURLEIGH, CHAS. LEM. BURLEIGI-I. 

